Hawks seek to fortify defense

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Woodland’s James Yacavone (5) pushes the ball towards goal as Joseph Fort of the Metropolitan Learning Center defends (12) Monday in Beacon Falls. The Hawks won 6-2. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Woodland’s James Yacavone (5) pushes the ball towards goal as Joseph Fort of the Metropolitan Learning Center defends (12) Monday in Beacon Falls. The Hawks won 6-2. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

BEACON FALLS — The Woodland Hawks boys’ soccer team has scored nine goals in their first four games on the season, which would generally be a good sign early on. Unfortunately, they’ve allowed 18 goals past their keepers, which has equated to a 1-4 start on the year and an early hole for the boys.

Coming off a win against Metropolitan Learning Center Monday, the Hawks took on the Watertown Indians Tuesday afternoon where their defense was backpedalling early.

Five goals reached the back of the net before the first half siren sounded and a 5-1 deficit with 45 minutes left to play isn’t one that can just be erased too easily.

The Indians tacked on one more goal to make the final score 6-1 as Watertown fired 25 shots upon the Hawks’ net. Three different Indians scored two-goals each.

Before the season started, Woodland coach Tony Moutinho said goaltending would be a question mark for the Hawks in 2014.

“Right now we don’t know who is going to be behind the net. We have a couple guys but we’ll see how stuff goes during the season,” said Moutinho weeks ago.

Weeks later, his stance on that subject hasn’t changed much.

“Our defense needs a lot of work. We have to keep practicing and practicing until we get it right because we are giving up way too many goals right now,” Moutinho said.

Woodland’s Zachary Powanda (21) runs in to defend William Simeon (3) of the Metropolitan Learning Center Monday afternoon in Beacon Falls. The Hawks won 6-2. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Woodland’s Zachary Powanda (21) runs in to defend William Simeon (3) of the Metropolitan Learning Center Monday afternoon in Beacon Falls. The Hawks won 6-2. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

Their lone win on the season came on Monday night at home in a 6-2 rout against Metropolitan Learning Center, an out-of-conference opponent that they were able to take out their early frustrations against. A six-goal barrage helped get the Hawks offense in motion as all cylinders were clicking Monday.

“We played great [Monday]. They were passing the ball well and being very aggressive on offense,” Moutinho said.

The Hawks opened the season against Naugatuck and Holy Cross, which resulted in 4-1 and 5-1 losses respectively. Their lone goal playing Naugatuck came from Christian Poirier with Thomas Bethin adding an assist. The Holy Cross game featured a goal from James Yacazone with Sam Merriman providing the assist.

Not to worry though, as Moutinho remains confident that his team can muster up the energy to finish the season strong.

“Sometimes you play your heart out and sometimes you don’t get the results that you’re hoping for but good things will come if you keep working hard,” Moutinho said.

The Hawks hit the road for their next two games Friday against Sacred Heart and Tuesday versus Bunnell.